Why nipples are tender

Anyone who experiences this should consult a doctor for evaluation and treatment. Applying a lanolin cream between feedings can help the skin to retain moisture. It is also a good idea to keep nipples clean and dry. Nipple pain can be a symptom of nipple thrush, a type of candidiasis caused by Candida yeast.

This is also common in people who are breast-feeding. Other symptoms include burning, stinging, cracking, and soreness. Thrush can be transferred between the breast-feeding parent and child. Both should be treated. Breast-fed babies with thrush may have white patches in their mouths.

Soreness and tenderness of the nipples and breasts are typical during pregnancy. This is particularly true during the first trimester, though similar symptoms may occur in the third. A well-fitting support bra can help minimize chafing, pain, and itchiness.

Nipple tenderness and soreness tend to occur when levels of progesterone increase. These levels rise about a week before a period begins. Pain, sensitivity, and other symptoms will subside when hormone levels normalize. As women start to go through perimenopause and enter menopause , breasts and nipples can become very sore, tender, or otherwise sensitive.

This is a result of shifts in hormones. Some side effects of birth control pills are similar to symptoms of pregnancy. They tend to resolve once the body becomes accustomed to the medication, which usually takes a few months. Medications prescribed for depression or anxiety have been linked to pain and other symptoms in the breasts and nipples.

Some herbal remedies, including those used to promote breast milk, can also cause nipple pain, sensitivity, and tenderness. Duct ectasia tends to occur most often in women close to menopause , according to the American Cancer Society. Duct ectasia occurs when a milk duct becomes enlarged and blocked, causing changes in the nipple that lead to tenderness, redness, itchiness, pain, and thick discharge.

The condition may develop into mastitis or another type of breast infection. Antibiotics may be used for management. In rare cases, blocked ducts require surgery. A breast abscess is a collection of pus in the breast and may be linked to breast-feeding or mastitis.

Abscesses can also result from nipple piercings or other breaks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter breast tissue.

Breast abscesses can cause nipple pain, redness, warmth, swelling, and a fever. A healthcare professional should drain them. Small abscesses can often be drained with a needle and syringe, while larger ones require an incision. Eczema can cause itching and pain in one or both nipples. Nipples with eczema tend to look flaky, crusty and red, and discharge is possible.

This eczema can be treated with topical hydrocortisone, but before trying over-the-counter medications, see a doctor for a diagnosis. Other conditions, including cancer, can mimic eczema. However, it is not caused by breast-feeding, and anyone can develop its symptoms.

Breast tenderness is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. This is due to hormones called estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen helps prime milk-making ducts for breastfeeding, while progesterone forms a thick lining around the uterus and also stimulates the growth of breast tissue. Therefore, tenderness and soreness come with the territory. According to Mama Natural , here is a sore nipple remedy you can make at home:.

But there is another cause of tender nipples during pregnancy that is often overlooked. Your breasts get larger when you are pregnant. When this happens, your breasts could become too large for your bra. This increase in size can put pressure on your bra and cause pain and soreness. In Need of Obstetrics Care? Call to Schedule your Appointment.

If you are breastfeeding, that is most likely the reason you have sore nipples. Sore nipples do not always occur during breastfeeding, but it is most likely to happen when the baby does not latch on properly. How to Treat: There are several things you can do to help reduce the pain. Start feeding your baby on the side that is not as sore. The symptoms include tenderness, swelling, and a burning sensation when lactating. The skin may also feel warm to the touch, become bright red, and you may also develop a fever.

How to Treat: To prevent flare-ups, make sure your baby drinks all the milk in one breast before switching him or her to the other one. This will allow the ducts to become fully drained. A warm damp washcloth applied to the nipple and ibuprofen can help soothe the pain. You can avoid getting sore nipples from jogging or working out if you wear the appropriate clothing made from natural materials.

If your nipple is damaged and sore, you could try using nipple shields or applying a barrier cream to prevent nipple infections. Hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle affects your breasts and is often a reason for nipples hurting right before your period.

Traci Johnson, symptoms of painful and sore breasts are usually more noticeable just before your period. You may find that your breasts and nipples are more sensitive or tender than usual.

The breast and nipple soreness should only last a few days into your period. If you notice any unusual discharge, you should speak to your doctor. There you can find out how magnesium and vitamin B6 can help to reduce the severity of PMS symptoms.

You can also relieve menstrual cramps with these natural ways. Your nipples are very sensitive and can have an allergic reaction to soaps, fabrics, or other allergens.

If you have noticed that your nipples are tender and itching after you changed your laundry detergent, soap, or moisturizer, the nipple discomfort could be from allergies. In this case, identifying and removing the allergen should solve the problem. Breast sensitivity and soreness can happen if you become pregnant, and the nipple tenderness can increase during your pregnancy. Doctors from the American Pregnancy Association report that hormonal changes cause your breasts to become more sensitive, and this is often felt particularly in the nipples.

Other breast changes during pregnancy include darkening of the area around your nipples, and your nipple may stick out more and become larger. Some other signs of early pregnancy include cramping when implantation happens , a missed period, nausea and vomiting, increased Montgomery glands , and an increase in cervical discharge.

If you think you are pregnant, you can find out here when is the earliest time to take a pregnancy test. Breastfeeding can cause the breast tissue to become sensitive and sore and cause persistent nipple pain.

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reported that many breastfeeding mothers complain of sore and tender nipples. Some of the reasons for nipple pain while breastfeeding are incorrectly placing the baby, infection, and inflammation.

To help avoid sore and painful nipples while breastfeeding, the Journal de Pediatria reported that proper breastfeeding technique is essential. The nipples should be kept dry and you should use nursing pads. Nipple infections that cause pain during breastfeeding are also common.

Bacterial infections or candidiasis can cause more nipple problems. This could result in breast and nipple itching , redness, and burning twinges in the breasts. Other complications to the nipples or breasts during breastfeeding could be inflammation or plugged nipple ducts. Mastitis can also cause the breasts and nipples to become red, tender, and sore due to infection in the breast tissue.

Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Suzanne Trupin says that mastitis often affects breastfeeding mothers. However, breast inflammation can occur in other women and post-menopausal women. The signs of mastitis are redness around the nipple spreading up the breast, fever and chills, and warmth of the breast. If you have signs of mastitis, you should see your doctor to get the right treatment to resolve the infection.

Inflammation of the breasts, that may or may not be caused by an infection, can cause nipple tenderness and nipple pain. According to a report published in the journal Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging , breast inflammation can be caused by mastitis, an abscess, or other infection.

Depending on the cause of the inflammation, there may be nipple discharge, pain and swelling, and lesions on the areola. Nipple vasospasm can be a reason for painful nipple spasms that last for a few minutes or many hours. According to doctors from the Herzl Family Practice Clinic, emotional stress, exposure to cold temperatures, or breastfeeding can cause nipple vasospasm.

The pain in the nipple is caused as blood vessels contract. This results in throbbing and needle-like pains in the nipple. You also may notice that the nipple pain increases in the cold.

If you suffer from chronic burning pain in your nipples, you should seek medical advice. However, doctors say that very often, a warm compress is enough to help relieve the pain. It can cause numbness in the fingers or toes, nose, lips, and even nipples. The affected body part, for example, the nipple, usually becomes sore as it warms up and blood flows to the nipple. A candida infection of the nipple can cause nipple thrush and can make nipples sore and sensitive when breastfeeding.

Cracked and dry nipples are often to blame for candida infections getting into the nipples. You may feel that the nipples are painful to touch or very tender after feeding. The nipple pain can be extreme and last for a few hours. According to the journal Radio Graphics , breast abscesses that cause nipple pain are usually associated with some redness and heat around the affected area.

Very rarely is a fever associated with a breast abscess. A breast abscess can also be a reason for nipple pain in men. Because any lump in the breast could be something more serious, you should have any new breast lumps checked out by a qualified doctor.

If you are suffering from tender and sore nipples that are cracked, it could be a sign of nipple eczema or dermatitis. Eczema or various forms of dermatitis can cause red rashes that are sore, itchy, and may have blisters. Some forms of dermatitis are caused by irritants that affect the skin.